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iFixit Dissects the Thinnest iPhone Yet: The iPhone Air

iFixit Dissects the Thinnest iPhone Yet: The iPhone Air
source: gettyimages
September 21, 2025

iFixit has conducted its signature teardown of the new iPhone Air, Apple's slimmest iPhone to date, measuring just 5.6mm in thickness. This marks the first significant redesign of the ‌iPhone‌ lineup in several years.

Innovative Design: The Camera "Plateau" and Logic Board Placement

To accommodate all essential components in such a thin chassis, Apple engineered a unique camera "plateau." The logic board is partially embedded within the camera bump, creating space for a sizable, metal-encased battery. This strategic placement also helps protect the logic board from bending stresses if the device flexes. Despite this, tests reveal that the titanium frame alone is nearly bend-proof, though the frame with internal components is less resilient.

Durability Testing: Frame Flexibility

When tested without internal components, the iPhone Air's frame is more prone to bending, primarily due to intentional plastic gaps designed to minimize cellular interference. iFixit mentions that whether these weak points pose a real-world issue remains to be seen.

Battery Integration and Compatibility

Earlier in the week, iFixit examined the MagSafe Battery Pack tailored for the iPhone Air, revealing that Apple reused the same 12.26 Wh battery found inside the phone itself. This compatibility means the battery can be removed from the MagSafe accessory and inserted into the iPhone Air seamlessly.

Ease of Repair and Assembly

Despite its ultra-thin profile, the iPhone Air is relatively straightforward to repair. Its minimal internal layering prevents parts from being buried deep inside the chassis. The display and back glass are clipped in, not bonded with adhesive, and where adhesive is used—such as for the battery—it's designed to be loosened with low-voltage electrical current. This approach was first observed with the iPhone 16 and now extends to the iPhone Air.

USB-C Port: 3D Printing and Modular Design

Apple 3D printed the USB-C port for the device using titanium alloy, which, while not as scratch-resistant as the frame, offers robust structural integrity. The port is glued in but remains modular, allowing for potential replacement if necessary.

Custom Chips and Component Layout

The logic board features Apple's custom-made chips, including the C1X 5G modem, N1 networking chip, and A19 Pro processor—marking the first iPhone with this many tailored Apple-designed components. While other iPhone 17 models also contain the A19 and N1, the iPhone Air uniquely uses the C1X instead of a Qualcomm modem.

Repairability Score and Recommendations

iFixit assigns the iPhone Air a provisional repairability score of 7 out of 10. The design simplifies access to the battery and makes screen replacements more manageable. Apple’s initiative to release spare parts and repair manuals, along with reducing software restrictions on parts pairing, further improves repairability.

Watch the Full Teardown

For a detailed, step-by-step disassembly, check out iFixit’s comprehensive video coverage.

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For more in-depth coverage and analyses, stay tuned to tech news updates.

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